18yo player with French 2nd division side Tours has died

18yo player with French 2nd division side Tours has died

Mar. 09, 2018

TOURS, France (AP) — An 18-year-old soccer player with French second-division club Tours has died.

Midfielder Thomas Rodriguez died overnight from Thursday to Friday, the club said in a statement. No details were given as to the cause of death.

"Tours FC is devastated by this drama, which plunges the club into an immense sadness ," Tours said.

Rodriguez joined in 2016 and progressed through the Tours youth academy before playing for the reserves.

"His footballing qualities, his drive and his motivation made him a player promised a bright future as a professional," Tours said. "The club offers its most sincere condolences to his family, his loved ones, and all the teammates and friends of Thomas."

The French soccer league canceled the Tours-Valenciennes match scheduled for later Friday. A minute's silence will be held at all stadiums in the first division and second division this weekend.

Rodriguez's death comes after Fiorentina captain Davide Astori was found dead in his hotel room on Sunday after a suspected cardiac arrest before an Italian match at Udinese.

In January 2009, 23-year-old Clement Pinault, a defender with Clermont in the French second division, died in hospital four days after suffering a heart attack at home.